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METUCHEN — Catholicism prevails in the Philippines.
More than eight out of 10 residents in the southeast Asian nation profess their love for the Church, according to online records. A vibrant Filipino-American Catholic community exists in the diocese as well. But the community has never held a spiritual celebration of their heritage, until now.
A mix of special prayers and songs highlighted the 5 p.m. Mass Oct. 29 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, during which an estimated 200 Filipino-Americans from the diocese commemorated the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, Oct. 18, 1587. The Mass, a first for the diocese, celebrated October as Filipino American Heritage Month, which has been in place nationally since 2009.
Father Gerry Paderon, who gave the homily and serves as coordinator of the diocese’s Filipino Apostolate, extracted from Luke’s Gospel (19:1-10) about the tax collector Zaccheus. After climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus and later dining with the Lord, Zaccheus changed into a person of charitable acts and love.
In this context, said Father Paderon, Filipinos who have immigrated to the U.S. have contributed greatly to American society and have served others, somewhat like the converted tax collector.
“Zaccheus is a figure we can follow,” Father Paderon said. “We are all sinners, but our encounter with grace makes us whole and able to share what we have. That little that we have makes the whole fuller for somebody else.”
Father Paderon, who is pastor of Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, encouraged the congregation, particularly his Filipino-American brethren, to practice charitable acts, a term the Filipinos refer to as “Bayanihan.”
Like others from his homeland, Father Paderon said the first Filipinos came to America looking for a better life. “And I think that is still true,” he said prior to Mass.
He also said in the homily how many Filipinos have contributed to the community, not only in church activities but their careers in healthcare, education, business and more.
“We have ordinary people penetrating the consciousness of this great nation,” he said.
Jose and Algin Lagdameo, who are lay leaders of the apostolate and Cathedral parishioners, were both raised Catholic in their native country. They have raised three children and carved out careers with Prudential.
They are proud of their homeland and their religion. “It’s really part of what we do,” said Jose, who wore a small pin with the American and Filipino flag on a lapel of his traditional, long-sleeved shirt called “barong tagalog.” Many men wore the traditional shirt, while his wife and other women wore the traditional gown known as “Filipiniana.”
“I think my faith has gotten deeper,” Algin said. “I went to Catholic school throughout, but I think once we got here, we got involved.”
She said the couple appreciate being surrounded by their Church family of all cultures and ethnicities.
“It makes the family complete, the marriage complete,” she said, “and you just want to give back to the church.”
During the Concluding Rite, Father Timothy A. Christy, Cathedral rector who presided at the liturgy, thanked Father Paderon for his work with the apostolate, noting the Filipino presence is widespread throughout the four counties served by the diocese. Father Paderon said 24 of the diocese’s 90 parishes celebrate the annual “Simbang Gabi” (“Night Mass”) or a nine-day series of Masses in anticipation of Christmas.
Father Christy said the Church and nation is “so much stronger and so much richer” because of the Filipino-Americans, especially those serving the diocese. “It brings an Asian spice to the whole Church,” he added.
The Filipino Apostolate Festival Choir performed several hymns in the traditional language, including “Ang Katawan ni Christo” (The Body of Christ”) and a Magnificat of Mary’s joy at the Annunciation “Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri” (“My Heart Rejoices”).
After Mass, many people, posing for photos and conversing with their priests, seemed to hold hearts filled with smiles, rejoicing and excitement in the special liturgy celebrating their heritage and faith.
“We are fortunate enough to be with the Filipino-American group,” said Renato Reyes, who was joined by his wife, Nerissa, and daughter, Ashley, in presenting the eucharistic gifts at the Offertory. “It keeps our family stronger.”
The liturgy included some lighter moments. Father Paderon said during his homily that there are 900 Filipino-born priests in the U.S., including eight in the diocese, with three of them serving the Cathedral: Father Edgar A. Madarang, Father Jay Alquiros and Father Roy Quesea.
“That’s why for dinner, Father Tim is outnumbered,” Father Paderon said. “He is used to eating lumpia [spring rolls] and pancit [noodles],” traditional Filipino food.
